According to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Costa offered his services to homeowners, businesses and apartment complexes in Orlando, Fort Myers and the West Palm Beach areas from April 2007 to November 2008.

During that time, the DEP alleges that Costa obtained samples that he told his clients would be tested; however, no testing occurred, the article noted.

According to the article, Costa provided fictitious laboratory reports to clients that were extremely technical.

He then offered assistance in performing "remediation" for the mold problems — tearing out walls, carpet, flooring and cabinets — in order to remove the supposed mold, but the mold was not always removed properly, leaving clients with continuing problems, the article added.